Our Patients

Our patients come from the lowest 10% income group in Singapore. 80% of our patients receive fully-subsidised treatments, while 20% of our patients pay only $200 or less per month. Read their stories below.

I Am Strong

A bright “Good Afternoon!” echoed across the Kidney Dialysis Foundation (KDF) Ghim Moh dialysis centre. The bubbly greeting came from Mdm Ernie, as she made her way to the last row at the back of the centre, waving to every single patient and nurse in the room.

Letting Go

I first saw Chew when he walked into my clinic two years ago. He had long-standing high blood pressure and was not regular with his medication.

Enjoying Each Day With You

Having to go through dialysis 3 days a week might be bothersome, but it does not pull Helen, 73 down. In fact, Helen leads a very fulfilling life around her dialysis schedule.

Dancing Through Life With Louis

In this special issue of KDF Link, we sat down and had a chat with KDF patient Louis to better understand his challenges as a kidney patient, his unique choice of work, and about his motivations in life.

To Be With: A Family’s Journey with Kidney Failure

“Mum’s medical bills were expensive. Financial assistance 10 years ago was not as holistic as now. Her dialysis fees, transportation and medication had to be paid for in cash. Juggling the family’s finances on top of my mother’s needs was not easy. I struggled greatly and was at the brink of a breakdown.”

The Gift of Family

The image of thick needles crossed Mdm Chitra’s mind, and the thought of putting herself through the pain, commitment, and sheer length of treatments, was all too much for her to bear.

Hope Endures

Mr Lim is interested in the arts and enjoys films and classical music. He has been yearning for a companion, but his regular dialysis sessions and his financial instability has been quite a hurdle for him.

The Contentment in Life

Once the nurses were ready to welcome them in after the disinfection routine, Mdm Toh Poh Giek, 64, walked in confidently with her ART test in hand. Even with enhanced testing measures in place due to the COVID-19 spread in the community, Mdm Toh’s spirits continue to remain high.

Above All, Love

“I remember promising my son that I will go through haemodialysis, so that he will continue with his studies and not worry about me. Something just clicked. I had no husband, I had no money, but I still have my children. My love for them kept me alive.”

Flavours of Life

A myriad of flavours coursed through my tongue. Just the right amount of salty and sour flavours, ending off with a pleasant sweetness. In that moment, these flavours were the perfect analogy of Mdm Goh’s life – sharp, surprising, but satisfying at the end.

To Carry On With Normal Living

“You are too young to die!” Those were the words from her doctor when Joanne Sim, 49 was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure 25 years ago. She was also afflicted with lupus since she was 19.

KDF Best Patient Award 2021

As a kidney patient, it is important to stay disciplined and keep to a strict set of criteria to ensure that their condition remains in control. The ‘KDF Best Patient Award’ was incepted in 2002 to recognise our kidney patients’ efforts to keep to this protocol.

Life's Simple Pleasures

Undergoing dialysis with KDF for the past 25 years was not easy for Mdm Ang, but with numerous helping hands and subsidies, she is able to live to see her children blossom and start their own families.

One Day at a Time

Despite having been through many trials and tribulations, Mr Lam continues to be full of optimism with what the next day has in store for him. “Now, I just live humbly. One day at a time.”, he remarked.

A Life Changing Decision

“It is difficult to maintain a positive outlook all the time, and I have my bad days too. But I have learnt to be more open to my family, and not let my frustrations consume me too much. I am happy that I did not give up earlier.”

There Is Much To Live For

“My wife and I want to see him complete his national service, and to pursue his studies. As a father, I want to see him achieve important life milestones such as starting a family. This is my motivation.” Mr Rahmat said, his eyes glinting with pride and joy.

Silver Lining of Hope

Dialysis has accompanied Mdm Wong Lai Lai for a large part of her life. She is 53 years old this year and was diagnosed with early-stage kidney disease when she was 21. When she was 24, Mdm Wong got married, and soon after she became pregnant. For most people, this would be a joyous development, but such was not the case for her.

My Health Is My Responsibility

With much encouragement from his supportive family, Mr Shaik is empowered and determined to lead a healthy lifestyle and maintain a positive mindset. “If not for my family, I won’t be the person that I am today and to enjoy this fulfilling life.”

My Family, My Strength

It was the time of the week again. In fact, barring any unforeseen development, she would have to go through it three times a week – kidney dialysis, that is. Her small hands grasped the armrests of her wheelchair as she steadied herself. Arthritis had caused her fingers to be painfully gnarled and unnaturally curved. She clenched her teeth as she tried to summon strength to stand up from her wheelchair. Her right hand reached for the side of her dialysis chair for support, as she slowly transferred herself with the aid of a caregiver. Only in recent times that the tremble in her hands became more obvious. Her Parkinson’s disease had worsened. “‘老人病’ or ‘old person’s illness’”, she tittered.

Displaced

To many of us, family meals are a time for togetherness. But for Mr Ong Soon Teck, it meant sitting separately. The front of his house was reserved for his adoptive parents and their children, while he and his adoptive grandmother shared meals at the back.

Happy Birthday

Rukamany takes great pride in being Singaporean. “Singapore is very clean. If you’ve got a problem, you can find answers everywhere; so many charities (are here) to support you. Singapore is better than other countries, some people want to be born here also cannot!” she proudly declared.

Last Wish

Mr Yip is 59 this year and convinced that he will not live past his next birthday, as he has been experiencing a steep decline in his health over the past year.

Unbreakable

Cancer. The one disease that we’ve all heard of, or know someone who has a personal story to share.